The Palatka daily news. (Palatka, Fla.) 1884-1888, 1887-04-12
NUMBER 2S.
Correspondence Palatka NEWS.
MCMFFKIN. Fla Anril a IA


MCMEEKIN, FLA. April o, 1887.
Your correspondent from Putnam
Hall. w" in a late article, refers TO
very important matter, and as our Leg
islature Is in session il Is "A proper time
for its discussion: why should hogs be
turned loose on the publicy'
Ii is little singular that hogs are al
| lowed a privilege that their owners dare
not exercise. Under our laws, as they
now stand. hog may go into any ones
enclosure that il can get in, and eat and
destroy the crops therein with impunity,
while il the owner of the hog should do
so he would be arrested and Jailed. As
the hog is allowed this destructive priv
| ilege, those who are trying To makea liv-
ing 10y cultivated of the earth, are re-
quired to construct expensive fences or
run the risk Of having their crops de-
stroyed. The question arises, why
should such a heavy tax be- placed on
the cultivation of the soil? Ii Is prin-
ciple 50 well settled as To be received
without argument, that of all occupa-
tions cultivation of the soil is first in i'm
portance The prosperity and happiness of
the civilized world depend on the sue
cess of the industry, and il would be rea-
sonable that legislation should always
be favorable and not oppressive, 10 this
grand and important industry.
Law very often requires some citizens
to yield rights and privileges for the
general good, and if il could be- proven
that the public good would be more ben
Gifted 10y allowing hogs Ia run at large
than the cultivation of the crops, then
the law might be continued with some
show of reason, if not of justice. But
when it is pretty well proven by the OBJ
servation and experience of those in
this State, that the custom of turning
hogs out on the public is not the best
method of raising hogs. while il IL so-
rious obstruction Ia earth culture, Il
seems strange that an intelligent people
would allow 50 destructive law 10 re-
main in force. II has been proven that
the most successful hog raisers in this
State have kept their hogs enclosed In
pastures, and raised food for them.
What does the present stock law cost
the people of this State annually IL Us
hard Ia give the exact figures, but GER
tainly not less than 100000, and this
too without any return of advantage, for
while this heavy tax is imposed ON agri-
culture in the shape of keeping up
expensive fences, Ia protect the
crops from destruction 10y these long
nosed irresistibles, II Is found that the
hog interest itself is not benefited by the
sacrifice That interest would have been
more advanced if the owners had kept
them enclosed. Here then, IN "A heavy
tax, un just on agriculture without any
public benefit. If one were 10 read IN
some paper something like this, "A sing
ular infatuation,' the people of Flor
ida have law which compels them 10
pay 500, 900 per annum 10 build mon
uments in honor of the hog, would It'
not be "A sensation And yet II
is virtually the truth. and though the
| tax is not imposed formally on that
ground, il is nevertheless imposed by re-
quiring the monuments To he built, and
if there is any benefit in IT, il is not appar-
ent Ia the practical observer
Now very short law on the subject
would do great act of justice to the
people of hisState who are honestly try
ing to support themselves and family
| by agriculture, would save them many
thousands of dollars earned in sweat and
toll, would greatly aid the industry Of
hog raising, and would not take but lit
tie time for the Legislature To pass IL. and
| furthermore would be- welcomed 10y "A
large majority Of the people.
1t would simply be- law requiring
every citizen 10 keep his hogs inclosed.
4 Just law, and beneficent law. VIII
not our Legislature give il 10 usS The
time is ripe for it, the people want II,
they see the folly OF paying annually
$lO0, 900 To build monuments 10 the
honor of the hog. Ii is 10 be hoped. Mr..
Editor, that the people will take up this
matter; that the press all over this State
will take little interest IN this important
subject and ask the Legislature 20 do an
act of justice and give agriculture relief
from this unjust and unnecessary tax
and heavy burden. r. A. McMEEKIs.